TruStage™, Ascent partner to streamline financial protection process
MADISON, Wis. — TruStage, a financially strong insurance and financial services provider, and Ascent Platform Corporation, a leader in digital experience solutions for financial institutions, banks and credit unions, are announcing a stronger partnership to bring consumers greater access to financial protection.
“During this time of economic uncertainty, eight in 10 consumers are interested in protecting their loans, but most don’t realize Payment Protection is an option,” said Sam Das, managing director of TruStage Ventures, referencing the company’s March 2025 Consumer Lending Preferences Study.1 “Ascent enables credit unions to more easily offer TruStage Payment Protection products, embedding them in online consumer and business loan originations. This digital experience helps more members reach their financial goals.”
Ascent helps credit unions centralize loan operations and manage data, offers integrated Payment Protection features to loan applicants and provides credit unions and their members not only a streamlined process, but greater financial protection should members face an unexpected hardship.
“TruStage has been a true partner in our journey, from their early investment in Ascent to this expanded commercial collaboration," said Arjun Sahgal, co-founder and CEO of Ascent. "We’re proud to help credit unions offer members a seamless, secure lending experience — one that puts protection and care at the center.”
Additionally, credit unions may gain valuable noninterest income by providing this additional service to members.
This latest announcement builds on the already-established relationship between TruStage and Ascent. TruStage Ventures invested in Ascent in 2022 through its Discovery Fund, an early-stage investment fund for fintechs with traditionally underrepresented founding teams. Through this new partnership, TruStage will work to bring Ascent to more credit unions.
“We believe strongly in the benefits and services Ascent can bring to credit unions, which is why we're eager to enhance our relationship,” added Das. TruStage, which works with 93% of credit unions nationwide2, stated in its May 2024 Sales Navigator report that the new partnership will offer easier access to Ascent’s platform and Payment Protection for members.
About Ascent
Ascent is the next-generation data platform that provides financial institutions with the tools and data sources required to service their customers. Ascent merges open banking sources with systems-of-record data to create a holistic view of customers and enables institutions to deliver better banking experiences. Ascent can be deployed and connected to existing systems and applications. Ascent offers add-on modules that unlock value from origination and servicing systems. These highly configurable modules enable institutions to launch new product application experiences quickly, automate loan monitoring and reviews, and eliminate wasted effort on internal and external audits. For more information, visit www.ascentplatform.io.
About TruStage
TruStage™ is a financially strong insurance and financial services provider, built on the philosophy of people helping people, meeting the needs of middle-market consumers and the businesses that serve them since day one. We believe a brighter financial future should be accessible to everyone, and our products and solutions help people confidently make financial decisions that work for them at every stage of life. With a culture rooted and focused on creating a more equitable society and financial system, we are deeply committed to giving back to our communities and improving the lives of those we serve today, and tomorrow. For more information, visit www.trustage.com.
About TruStage™ Ventures
TruStage™ Ventures, LLC, is the venture capital arm of TruStage, a financially strong insurance and financial services provider. We believe a brighter financial future should be accessible to everyone, and our products and solutions help people confidently make financial decisions that work for them at every stage of life. TruStage Ventures, LLC, houses two investment funds: a general fund focused on strategic investments and partnerships to connect fintechs with credit unions and financial institutions, and the Discovery Fund, focused on early-stage investments in fintechs with traditionally under-represented founding teams. TruStage Ventures, LLC, has invested in nearly 70 fintechs, including 19 in the Discovery Fund3, and is committed to continuing to invest in fintechs that help make brighter financial futures accessible to all. For more information, visit www.trustage.com/ventures/discovery-fund.